Our foster carers come from all walks of life, so there is no exact checklist for the perfect foster carer.
Each person brings something special to what they do. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity here at Fostering Rotherham so if you think you could foster, you probably can!
There is a basic eligibility criteria to be able to apply to be a foster carer that we’ve listed below. Our foster carers have also shared personal qualities that they think really help a looked after child to feel safe and secure during their home placements.
“I held back from applying to be a carer as I was a single parent with 2 daughters so didn’t think they would want me, but I was proved wrong and wished I’d made the call earlier.” - Linda - foster carer
Eligibility Criteria
To be able to apply to be a foster carer with us, you must meet the following basic requirements:
Be aged over 21
Read, write and speak English well
Have a spare bedroom for a looked after child to stay in
Live within 20 miles of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council boundary, to help you attend meetings and get involved in our community
If you are unsure if you are eligible to become a foster carer or if your circumstances are changing in the near future, we are here to help. There are many ways you can contact us and we look forward to supporting you every step of the way.
“If you have love in your heart, time, patience and the space - for me I tell people to go ahead and do it. I would recommend it to anyone… I love children and making a difference to other children's lives.” - Christine - foster carer
Personal Qualities
Our foster carers have amazing personal qualities that are reflected in the amazing work that they do caring for looked after children. We asked our foster carers what qualities they think are most important to have to be a great foster carer. We’ve listed 10 of those qualities below:
A caring nature
A good sense of humour
Resilience
Dedication
Patience
Being punctual
Being flexible
Empathetic
Motivated
A good communicator
Does this sound like you? If you fit the eligibility criteria and have the personal qualities listed above, you could make a fantastic foster carer and make a real difference to your community. You can book an initial call back to discuss your pathway to foster or answer any questions you have about fostering.
“You need to be empathetic, honest and be able to build trust with the child and their family. It’s also important to be punctual, dedicated, resilient, non-judgemental and provide a stable, loving home environment.” - Natalie - foster carer
Learn more about fostering in Rotherham
Don’t let any misconceptions or concerns put you off from booking an initial call with our friendly team. You may find that your dream of fostering is within arms reach.
The first step is to book a friendly, no-obligation call with us. In this call, we would like to learn more about you. It’s a great opportunity for you to ask any questions about fostering and discuss what type of fostering may fit for you.